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Read Full BioSouth Korean police say they will crack down on hold ‘em pubs, gambling “experience” venues that secretly house illegal casinos.
The media outlet Newsis reported that the National Police Agency’s investigation department has announced the start of an “intensive crackdown” on illegal gambling activities at hold ‘em pubs and other establishments.
The department says the operation began on May 1 and will wrap up on August 31. The police force ran similar drives in 2023 and 2024.
Hold ‘em Pubs: South Korean Crackdown Begins
Thus far, the crackdowns have seen officers charge 4,843 people with gambling or operating illegal gambling establishments.
During the drives, investigators also confiscated cash and other assets worth approximately 15 billion won ($10.77 million).
The nation is home to thousands of hold ‘em pubs that offer a casino-like experience – supposedly without involving “real-money” betting.
Most of these pubs charge entrance fees and distribute chips for Texas hold ‘em card game tournaments, which typically last one to two hours.
However, police officers think many of these pubs secretly offer patrons the chance to wager real money on card games.
In March this year, police raided a hold ‘em pub in Seoul that police say doubled as an underground gambling den. Officers think the den’s owners made over $5 million in profits from its patrons.
Late last year, police also shut down a nationwide network of hold ‘em pubs that provided a front for illegal gambling games.
Strict Gambling Rules in Force
South Korean law prohibits citizens from participating in all forms of gambling outside a horseracing track near Seoul and a licensed casino in Gangwon Province.
Police think some hold ‘em pub operators use sophisticated methods and legal loopholes to secretly allow their patrons to place real wagers on games.
However, recent revisions to the Tourism Promotion Act have granted police new powers to punish “casino-like” activities at holdem pubs.
Officers also said that many illegal gambling den operators use high levels of security. They say that owners now use closed-circuit television monitoring systems and membership programs to hide their activities from police investigators.
The National Police Agency said it will pay citizens cash rewards if they come forward with tip-offs. A spokesperson said the police would offer up to 5 million won ($3,588) in return for information that leads to an arrest.
The spokesperson added: “Gamblers who turn themselves in may also escape further punishment. We encourage the public to actively report illegal activities.”
In April, South Korean police charged 19 people with operating a gambling site and a network of related offline casinos. Officers think the group’s operations generated around $11 million.
